Data Science MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Data scientists and analysts are in demand across a large range of sectors, from healthcare to finance, from marketing to transport. This course aims to provide the essential training you will need to be successful in this fast-moving, dynamic field.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

256A / 257A

Start date

September 2025


Course overview

The course brings together a range of techniques that the modern data scientist needs. You will study modules in mathematics, data analysis and computing, and tackle a variety of interesting and engaging problems from the latest research studies, business and industry.

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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

  • You will have the chance to equip yourself with transferable and professional skills which prepare you for employment in industry, business, or education.
  • You will be provided with the opportunity to develop critical and reflective skills required for problem-solving in a variety of contexts.
  • The course has a particular emphasis on modern applications and the use of appropriate computational methods, software and technology.
  • You can expect to improve your knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of the latest data science, as well as the use of computational methods.
  • You will have the chance to gain industry-relevant experience2 as you apply real-world, commercial software development practices within teams of your peers, preparing you for your career after graduation.

What you'll study

In your first year, you will be taught the fundamental skills and concepts needed to begin your journey as a data scientist. You’ll be familiarised with the mathematical, statistical and computational foundations, and you will apply those principles in laboratory sessions4 which help solidify your understanding. You will also begin developing the professional skills you will need in your day-to-day career on graduation, e.g. working as part of a team and the ethical and legal issues around data structure and models.

Modules

In your second year, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with data science, linear statistical models and artificial intelligence (AI), amongst others.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the Fees and Funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. 

Modules

The final stage of your Data Science BSc (Hons) course, you'll cover advanced topics in data science including big data management and visualisation methods, machine learning algorithms, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and advanced statistical methods. 

Modules

If you meet the progression requirements, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

This year provides insight into more advanced topics in data science and can act as a stepping stone to postgraduate research or further study.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Learning will be facilitated through a variety of methods which may include lectures, seminars, lab, workshops, online activities and group work.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You'll be digging deeper into topics, review what you've learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you'll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • formal examinations
  • phase tests
  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework
  • exams
  • individual assignments.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points BSc (Hons): 120
MSci: 128
A level BSc (Hons): BBB to include Mathematics at grade B or above. Excludes General Studies.
MSci: ABB to include Mathematics at grade B or above. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE BSc (Hons)/MSci: Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C or above including English and Mathematics
BTEC BSc (Hons)/MSci: Considered on an individual basis.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme BSc (Hons): 29 points to include 5 points in Mathematics at Higher Level.
MSci: 31 points to include 5 points in Mathematics at Higher Level.
Access to HE BSc/MSci: Considered on an individual basis.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

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Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip
  • any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

  • The sigma centre provides a wide range of learning resources dedicated to mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments.
  • Informal Study Areas: 
    Informal computer access to all the specialist software required for your studies. There are bookable spaces where you can meet with academics or work in small groups (subject to availability). 

Careers and opportunities

This data science course is focused on preparing you to work in one of the most dynamic fields in the digital age, with a focus on transferrable and work-ready skills.

As a data analyst, you may often find yourself working in a multi-disciplinary environment, as you bring your technical skills and knowledge to bear upon a specific business issue. This is precisely the type of situation upon which Coventry University built this course, aiming to equip you for the world of work. 

Data analysts have job prospects in areas such as business analysis, risk analysis, energy demand forecasting, health analytics, sports analytics, web analytics, games data analytics, social media analytics and more. 

Where our graduates work

Previous students have found employment as Financial Analysts at IBM, Gaming Financial Analysts for Warner Bros, Finance Assistants at Scottish Power, Business Performance Process Analysts at National Grid, Power Analysts at E.ON and Customer Service Analysts for Cummins.

Recent graduates have embarked on Finance Graduate Schemes, as Customer Services Analysts, Graduate Actuary, Information Analysts and a Trainee Accountants for companies like E.ON, National Grid, Thames Water, NHS, Hodge Lifetime Solutions and Prime Accountants. Others have also used their qualifications to progress into teaching careers, as well as postgraduate study to obtain MSc, MPhil and PhD qualifications. 

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